In his seven seasons trying to lead Kildare's footballers to the promised land, Mick O'Dwyer may never have looked so pleased with a result as he did at the end of this clash in wet and windy conditions at Newry yesterday.
"We had a lot of young fellows in their teens out there who were prepared to fight for every ball," he said.
Kildare were short up to half a dozen players due to a dispute in the county. The Clane players, including Martin Lynch, were absent due to the non-fulfilment of club matches which has led to relegation for the club. Midfielder Niall Buckley was also an absentee. Down were depleted by the absence of Shane Mulholland, who damaged an ankle while playing soccer for Cliftonville, and was replaced as attack leader by Glen McMahon.
The northeners will especially rue a valley period during the last five minutes of the first half. That slump and Kildare's dominance during the last quarter of the game was a product of Kildare's greater fitness.
A McMahon point in 29 minutes gave Down a clear 0-5 to 0-2 lead, but Kildare then had a terrific spell which saw them level at 0-5 each by half-time.
The vital goal for Kildare came in the 13th minute of the second half from Karl O'Dwyer, driving his side into a 1-7 to 0-7 lead. Down did recover, and by the five minutes from time they had levelled the scores with a Gregory McCartan pointed free.
Then the sort of Kildare grit that pleased Mick O'Dwyer so much came on stream. Debutants Tadgh Fennin and Colm O'Reilly and Padraig Brennan scored three brilliant points.
Down made a gallant but unavailing bid to earn the draw well into injury time with what was arguably the best move of the match, started by attacking full back Deegan.
The move was carried on by Paul Higgins. He parted to Mickey Linden and the Mayobridge man sent McCartan clear - but his shot hit the side netting.
A draw would have flattered Down on the day: they never demonstrated the kind of inspiration shown by the Kildare half-back line of David Hughes, Glenn Ryan and Derek Maher. This trio kept a grip on the Down half-forward line.
Kildare's midfielders Dermot Earley and Johnny Whelan, who came in for the absent Niall Buckley, also put the Down defence under all sorts of pressure in the second half especially . Down, despite Ross Carr's willingness to play deep, were not as well served in the roving department as O'Dwyer's men. It was fascinating to see young Fennin foraging back in defence moments after kicking that crucial lead point just after Down drew level in the closing stages.
A league success for Kildare in Newry had no precedent.
Down's seasoned campaigners, such as Deegan, Carr and Linden had good games - but not good enough to unsettle the sprightly Kildare team inspired from the centre back position by team captain Glenn Ryan.
Ryan and right wing back David Hughes were always willing to go forward and Hughes scored a great point. Ryan was desperately unlucky not to have put his name on a goal in the second half, but Peter Travers was equal to the task.
Kildare: E Murphy; B Lacey, R Quinn, A Rainbow; D Hughes (0-1), G Ryan, D Maher; J Whelan, D Earley; C O'Reilly (0-2), K O'Dwyer (1-3, one free), J Doyle; P Brennan (0-3, one free), T Fennin (0-1), C Sheridan. Subs: David Earley for Sheridan (14 mins); P Winders for J Doyle (41 mins); M Wright for Rainbow (43 mins).
Down: P Travers; M Feeney, C Deegan, P Higgins; A Molloy, M Magill, S Poland; G McCartan (0- 3 frees), O Woods; R Carr (0-2 fees), G McMahon (0-2), A O'Prey; M Linden, C McCabe (0-1), S Ward (0-2). Subs: G Cunningham for O'Prey (52 mins); C McLoughlin for McCabe (54 mins); G Farrell for E Woods (61 mins).
Referee: P MacBriain (Fermanagh).
